Andrew Codispoti, Artistic Director, Advice to the Players writes: This year we've decided to open up our decision-making process — we'd like to hear from you on what play you'd like us to produce in Spring, 2017! Our production of Hamlet was very well received in North Conway, at area schools, and here in Sandwich at the Town hall -- what would you like to see us take on next Spring?

Advice To The Players (ATTP) invites you to participate in the worldwide commemoration of William Shakespeare on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of his death. From Arabia to Argentina, to Prague and Queensland, Stratford-upon-Avon and Center Sandwich, the world rejoices in the marvelous gift of the works of Will Shakespeare.

Please join ATTP in celebrating the Bard of Avon, the most famous, timeless author in the English language. Four special events will be held at the Arts Center at 12 Main in Center Sandwich.

Pizza and Sonnets, Thursday evening, April 21, from 6:30 until 8 PM, will feature local poet Page Coulter, who has invited middle and high school students to join her in exploring the sonnet. Experienced in helping people of all ages tap into their inner poet, she will offer exercises, and perhaps a challenge to students to embrace the beauty of language and find their voice. Students who attend should dress comfortably, and bring writing supplies. This event is limited to 12 students. To reserve a spot, please email janlgoldman@juno.com (and you might want to mention your favorite kind of pizza).

Saturday evening, April 23, ATTP Founder Caroline Nesbitt will lead a group reading and discussion of Measure for Measure at 7:30 PM. Nesbitt says of the play, "Measure for Measure is full of ambiguity, grey areas that exist when holding hard justice against human mercy, and the way both change depending on the honesty, corruption, or whim of those with the power to wield them. The play is also an extraordinary examination of sexual politics. Altogether you have something that is as compelling and chewy today as it when it was first performed over 400 years ago." If you have your own copy of the play, please bring it with you. Light refreshments will be available by donation.

Sunday, April 24, at 12:30 PM, ATTP throws a picnic/party to celebrate the Board's 452nd birthday! Bring the whole family, and please bring a basic picnic to insure that any of your family's special dietary needs are met. A sampling of Shakespearean favorites ~ meat, vegetables, fruit and beverages ~ will be on hand along with birthday cake. Games and activities. Fun facts and famous quotes. Perchance a bit of improvisational acting. It's all there! A donation of $10 to $15 per family is requested. Please email janlgoldman@juno. com to let us know how many to expect, in order to know how much food is needed.

Also on Sunday afternoon, at 3:30 PM, a concert by The Silver Lake Singers, with Mary Edes, will bring to a close ATTP's celebration of Shakespeare's birthday, which is also his death day. Their music will offer a time of quiet reflection and appreciation of this great man whose insightful commentary on the human condition has stood the test of four centuries, remaining as relevant today as it was in 1616. The concert, and light refreshments, are available by donation.

Advice To The Players, Sandwich's Shakespeare company, looks forward to the pleasure of your company as we celebrate. If you have questions, or need further information on any of these events, please email janlgoldman@juno.com or call 284-7532

Editor's note: Made in Sandwich is a new feature on the Discover Sandwich blog. We will be highlighting the work of our many accomplished and creative makers here in Sandwich, NH.

“EVERYWHERE BAGS” are the result of a three-way collaboration between Katy Clark, bag master, CC White, abstract artist and Patricia Carega, gallery owner.

Our collaboration began after a morning at the Farmer’s Market in Sandwich this fall. Katy Clark arrived with her newest collection to sell at Christmas time. At the next table Patricia Carega was selling small paintings by long time gallery artist, CC White. What would one of CC White’s paintings look like on a Katy Clark bag? We loved the result and are pleased to be able to present the most recent bags on the gallery website. Both Katy and CC are continually working on new creations.

Combining elegance and style with functionality these bags can travel wherever you go. They will be for sale this summer at Patricia Ladd Carega Gallery in Center Sandwich, but why wait? The bags can be seen online at ﻿﻿patricialaddcarega.com﻿ or﻿ at patricialaddcaregagallery.wordpress.com. Order a bag now and travel, shop or sightsee in style throughout the year. Bags come in different styles, canvases, and colors. The paintings by CC White are one of a kind making each bag original and unique.

Bags may also be custom ordered with or without artwork. For more information or to order a bag, email patricialaddcaregagallery@gmail.com or call 603 284 7728. You can also find us on Facebook at the gallery’s page.

Artist Linda Hefner writes: I was recently juried into The New Hampshire Art Association in Portsmouth. They are a group of artists (250) or so from NH and surrounding New England. We are located on State St, Portsmouth.

I have a great interest in the historic houses, farms and mainly barns in NH. I travel the back roads on the look out for interesting subjects. Last summer I found The Quimby Barn and knew that it would be my next challenge. It is in fine shape and was a pleasure to work with.

There was a write up in The Portsmouth Herald on March 6th in the area arts section written by Vandy Leigh about me and my work. There are some other paintings featured in the article that you may enjoy.

Diane Johnson writes: Christmas in the Village Weekend is the first full weekend in December (5 & 6).Crafters, bakers, and organizations will be selling goods at the school, the Sandwich Home Industries, the Sandwich Historical Society, the Grange and many shops and studios throughout town. A Christmas Tree lighting, carols, music, hot food, stories, skits, horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa, and more are being planned.

Are there folks interested in helping to decorate homes and buildings in the village? Maybe someone has a special display they would like to share in a storefront or someplace else. How about a gingerbread house contest? You let me (Diane Johnson) know what you would like to do and the times you hope to do it. If you plan it, I will help you publicize it.

Many small events and things combined into one weekend will make our quaint town a festive and joyful destination. Christmas in the Village is a celebration of early winter, holidays, hospitality, etc. so if your idea relates to Hanukkah or some other seasonal event, that's great.

If you would like to be added to the contact list and/or do something special that weekend, please email sandwichnews@hotmail.com by November 14 if possible. Efforts are being made to include all the events happening that weekend on one calendar and map. Individuals, businesses, and organizations who are selling things are asked to contribute $25 each (payable to Sandwich Craftsmen) to help share the costs of signs, posters, printing, and other advertising. Assistance distributing posters and other print materials as well as putting out signs (and picking them up afterwards) is greatly appreciated. No one is receiving pay for any of this. The fee is used to share and cover costs. Any monies remaining after bills are paid will be rolled over to 2016.

If you have events to publicize or input or questions on seasonal activities (any time including the first weekend of December) or if you need help with scheduling so that things don't overlap, I can assist and I will try to put you in touch with the people and/or organizations running various activities. For more information please contact Diane Johnson at 284-7168 (call or text as this is a cellphone) or email sandwichnews@hotmail.com.

Come to Center Sandwich on Halloween night for spooky displays in the village and to trick or treat for candy. Expect Advice To The Players to be involved with some sort of theatrical haunting. View Joan Cook's Witch Collection at the Grange.

Kitty Greene writes: Are you a Halloween fan who lives outside the village and suffers from depression every year because no one ever stops by your house? Do you buy candy every year “just in case," but end up eating it all on your own? Have I got a solution for you!

Get some family and/or friends together and create a haunted vignette in the village! Drop off your candy at the Town Hall where it will be vigorously tested by quality control then distributed to the houses around town!

If you are interested in “haunting" contact me to help coordinate festivities in the village. If you live in the village, let me know if you are going to be "haunting" or would like someone to use your yard/porch to “haunt."

It's that time of year again. Who will be New Hampshire's 2015 Shakespearian Idol? YOU decide!

Step out with Advice To The Players (ATTP), New Hampshire's award-winning Shakespeare company, for the granite state's latest talent competition. Join our live panel of judges – Genevieve Aichele, Ken Martin, and Paul Mroczka, – all stars of the NH Theatre scene – and cast your vote for the night's best act of Shakespeare-and-song.

Ever see Romeo and Juliet break into “Bad Romance” on the balcony? Ever wish King Lear would let loose with “Stormy Weather?” Who knows what creative combinations you'll see at our one-night benefit gala! Native New Hampshire theatre veterans and newbies alike – perhaps even your neighbors – will take to the stage at the historic Barnstormers Theatre in Tamworth. Cheer on the brave contestants as they battle for the title of Shakespearian Idol, led by Master of Ceremonies, George Cleveland.

Join the fun, cast your votes, and enjoy some refreshments all while supporting award-winning Shakespeare performances and education programs – only at Advice To The Players' fourth annual Shakespearian Idol!

Singers! Actors! Comedians! Advice To The Players presents the 4th Annual New Hampshire Shakespeare Reality Competition: SHAKESPEARIAN IDOL ~ Saturday, October 24, at 7 PM at The Barnstormers Theatre, Tamworth, NH. Take to the stage and make your own Shakespearian Scene-and-Song Pairing!! What might Hamlet sing to Yorick’s skull - “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction”? Perhaps Romeo from the balcony will sing “Young Girl, Get Out of My Mind” We know King Lear himself faces “Stormy Weather” on the heath.Call now for your Performance Slots!!! 603-284-6808. George Cleveland will MC the evening - Prizes awarded! Contestants will be judged by the audience and a panel of NH Arts notables . No audition necessary - Karaoke-style sound - Free entry and refreshments to performers. Limited contestant slots! For more information and to sign up for this benefit extravaganza email shakespearianidol@advicetotheplayers.org or call Patty Heard @ 603-284-6808.

Contra Dance, an exciting new play by Sandwich resident Caroline Nesbitt, is in rehearsal for its debut at The Barnstormers Theatre. As a world premiere, the show will run for four performances only, Thursday September 3 – Saturday September 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday September 6 at 2:00 p.m.Contra Dance is a very human look at the changes of time, culture, loss, and love on a landscape, its people, and the way we ultimately define Home. Treated with equal parts humor and poignancy, the characters are salty, tough, and as recognizable as the Granite state itself. The changes are known to us all – rooted in New Hampshire, but universal in scope. The cast is a familiar one to theatre-goers in our region: Robert Bates, Jean Brown, Dale Place, Richard Moses, Caroline Nesbitt, Angela Hope Smith, Vivian Nesbitt (who came all the way from Albuquerque to participate in this production), and newcomer Versee Damien all combine their considerable talents to create a powerful storytelling ensemble in a show that tells an honest and uplifting story of Us. Tickets for Contra Dance are $25.00 can be ordered online at http://contradanceworldpremiere.bpt.me, reserved by calling the Contra Dance ticket hotline at 677-2739, or you can buy them at the door. Group and senior rates are available upon request. Seating is general admission, but please let us know if you have special needs or favorite seats and we will happily accommodate them! Note: due to adult language and themes, Contra Dance is not family entertainment. Please use discretion when bringing children.

Patricia Ladd Carega Gallery, The Sandwich Home Industries, and Advice to the Players will be open after hours to welcome visitors participating in the last Gallery Walk of the season. Refreshments will be served at each venue and The Corner House Inn awaits at the end of the walk with a 15 % dining discount for those who have visited each business. Also, the walls at the Corner House show paintings from Surroundings Art Gallery, so a visit for dinner provides an added bonus of more art to view.

Patricia Carega Gallery will begin the walk early at 4:00 p.m. with a talk by installation artist Delanie Jenkins. The exhibit, Snow Fence, was inspired by summer trips to Wyoming during the past eight years. Jenkins became captivated by the form and shapes of the ever present snow fences that stretch across the western landscape. Her traveling site sculpture is transformed by material to play with illusion and perception.

Inside the gallery Ashley Bullard’s exhibit of new work, Look to the Laundry, explodes with motion and color. The clothesline is the subject that connects each painting in this series while it also connects us universally.

The Sandwich Home Industries exhibits a wide variety of traditional and contemporary craft in many media, all made by juried members of the League of NH Craftsmen. Pottery, glass, prints, wood, jewelry, metal, stone and basketry are all on view. The Industries are dedicated to education. Workshops, demonstrations and classes are offered throughout the summer. For a list of all the events and workshops going on at the Sandwich Home Industries, pick up a brochure at any of our galleries or visit www.nhcrafts.org/center-sandwich.

Spring Storm, by Celia Judge 2007

At the new Arts Center at 12 Main the theatre company Advice To The Players is presenting an exhibition entitled: Line! an actor draws the theatre (1968-2015) by John Devaney, running July 30 - September 7.John Devaney's statement about this exhibition: "Much of my painting is about the gesture and movement of figures - human, animal, mythical, and things. The theatre is a wonderful resource for this: all through the rehearsal process, actors explore the essence of their characters through voice and body. They go through the same movements again and again. And, in their midst, I get to explore with them : the coming together of an actor with her character." John Devaney's paintings can be seen at www.johndevaney.com.

In addition to fine dining, the Corner House features live music in their pub each Friday evening. On Friday Aug. 14 Julia Velie performs a wide range of classic soft rock and pop tunes in the pub from 6:30 – 9:30 pm. For the summer schedule and CHI events visit www.cornerhouseinn.com.

Visit all three Gallery Walk locations between 5 and 7 PM and receive a 15% dining discount at the Corner House Inn! Another great reason to spend the evening in Center Sandwich on Friday Aug. 14!

Alfred Quimby Fundfor the Town of Sandwich

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